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[Wannabewell]

Hi everyone,

My stylist (whilst cutting my hair into an easier style) found a tuft of hair, couldn't tell if it's baby hair or broken hair. A couple of months ago she found a small bald spot on same side but lower down. I'm also shedding more hair all over and hair shafts are thinner.

This is really upsetting me. I'm scared of what's going on.

I'm wondering if it's due to peri menopause and if so if HRT would help?  I've heard that some HRT can cause hair loss, is that right?

This is a horrible thing for a woman to go through.

Eek. 

[Peacegirl]

Hi everyone,

My stylist (whilst cutting my hair into an easier style) found a tuft of hair, couldn't tell if it's baby hair or broken hair. A couple of months ago she found a small bald spot on same side but lower down. I'm also shedding more hair all over and hair shafts are thinner.

This is really upsetting me. I'm scared of what's going on.

I'm wondering if it's due to peri menopause and if so if HRT would help?  I've heard that some HRT can cause hair loss, is that right?

This is a horrible thing for a woman to go through.

Eek. 

I fully sympathise, it's very upsetting as I have had accelerated hair loss myself (I am post though not peri, so it probably seems worse to you as you're younger).
What I have learned is;
Low estrogen can cause hair loss and hrt can help.
Female pattern loss is genetic and similar to male baldness.
Other conditions, low, thyroid, iron deficiency and many many more can cause hair loss.
Some progesterone in hrt can cause hair loss-norethisterone is a common one for this but I have it with other progesterones too.
An hrt formulation called femoston conti is known for being kinder around hair loss.
With regard to hrt if you decide to go that route, there is lots of info on this site, have a browse and the ask any specific questions you have as there are very knowledgeable people on this board and I'm not one of them as I can only speak from my own experiences. I do know though that we are all very individual in our needs and what works for us.

Maybe some blood tests to check where you're at in meno and rule out other illnesses might be a place to start?

I found hrt very helpful when I started getting symptoms.
Just remember you're not alone in this 

[Peacegirl]

Also see hurdity's excellent post on this thread:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,37104.0/topicseen.html

[Wannabewell]

Hi everyone,

My stylist (whilst cutting my hair into an easier style) found a tuft of hair, couldn't tell if it's baby hair or broken hair. A couple of months ago she found a small bald spot on same side but lower down. I'm also shedding more hair all over and hair shafts are thinner.

This is really upsetting me. I'm scared of what's going on.

I'm wondering if it's due to peri menopause and if so if HRT would help?  I've heard that some HRT can cause hair loss, is that right?

This is a horrible thing for a woman to go through.

Eek. 

I fully sympathise, it's very upsetting as I have had accelerated hair loss myself (I am post though not peri, so it probably seems worse to you as you're younger).
What I have learned is;
Low estrogen can cause hair loss and hrt can help.
Female pattern loss is genetic and similar to male baldness.
Other conditions, low, thyroid, iron deficiency and many many more can cause hair loss.
Some progesterone in hrt can cause hair loss-norethisterone is a common one for this but I have it with other progesterones too.
An hrt formulation called femoston conti is known for being kinder around hair loss.
With regard to hrt if you decide to go that route, there is lots of info on this site, have a browse and the ask any specific questions you have as there are very knowledgeable people on this board and I'm not one of them as I can only speak from my own experiences. I do know though that we are all very individual in our needs and what works for us.

Maybe some blood tests to check where you're at in meno and rule out other illnesses might be a place to start?

I found hrt very helpful when I started getting symptoms.
Just remember you're not alone in this 

Thanks SO much for your reply and advice.  It's really very helpful and it's a relief to know that others have experienced similar. It is scary.

I'm seeing a Dr tomorrow and hope to get some answers and help.

I'll also check out hurdity's post, thanks.

[Peacegirl]

Hi everyone,

My stylist (whilst cutting my hair into an easier style) found a tuft of hair, couldn't tell if it's baby hair or broken hair. A couple of months ago she found a small bald spot on same side but lower down. I'm also shedding more hair all over and hair shafts are thinner.

This is really upsetting me. I'm scared of what's going on.

I'm wondering if it's due to peri menopause and if so if HRT would help?  I've heard that some HRT can cause hair loss, is that right?

This is a horrible thing for a woman to go through.

Eek. 

I fully sympathise, it's very upsetting as I have had accelerated hair loss myself (I am post though not peri, so it probably seems worse to you as you're younger).
What I have learned is;
Low estrogen can cause hair loss and hrt can help.
Female pattern loss is genetic and similar to male baldness.
Other conditions, low, thyroid, iron deficiency and many many more can cause hair loss.
Some progesterone in hrt can cause hair loss-norethisterone is a common one for this but I have it with other progesterones too.
An hrt formulation called femoston conti is known for being kinder around hair loss.
With regard to hrt if you decide to go that route, there is lots of info on this site, have a browse and the ask any specific questions you have as there are very knowledgeable people on this board and I'm not one of them as I can only speak from my own experiences. I do know though that we are all very individual in our needs and what works for us.

Maybe some blood tests to check where you're at in meno and rule out other illnesses might be a place to start?

I found hrt very helpful when I started getting symptoms.
Just remember you're not alone in this 

Thanks SO much for your reply and advice.  It's really very helpful and it's a relief to know that others have experienced similar. It is scary.

I'm seeing a Dr tomorrow and hope to get some answers and help.

I'll also check out hurdity's post, thanks.

Good luck and well done for seeing your g.p. What I also should have said is that many of the things that cause hair loss can be treated and the hair grows back. Also you need to establish what is excessive and what is normal. There are some google images which show what is a normal or and excessive bunch of hair shedding after washing. Also I wash my hair over a bath of water at the moment so I can see exactly how much is there, so I can be very clear and exact at the doctor. I guess a hair trap in the plug hole of the shower would do the same job.
Let us know how it goes tomorrow.

[Wannabewell]

Well, the GP was less than useless. He was a locum and just did what I could do myself, looked on Google images and said I had alopecia for which there is no treatment.

He didn't address the thinning strands or thinning all over and ignored me when I told him about an almost three weeks of bleeding which is not normal for me.

I've since discovered another small 5p sized bald spot with some new hair starting to sprout.

Washed hair today and a lot more than usual came out.  Well it seemed like more to me. I'm seeing a dermatologist tomorrow morning, my mum has arranged it.

My GP wants to see me about the blood loss and hair issues but earliest appointment only in two weeks!

I'll look at those Google images for normal shedding and thanks for your support and reassurance.

[MIS71MUM]

I wish GP's would realise that hair loss to a woman is an awful experience.
My Mum has very fine baby hair, it never really grows and it breaks very easily. It really upsets her and it's always been the same. She does have a thyroid disorder which maybe the reason.
I too have a tiny little finger tip tuft patch. I can feel when the hairs start to grow as it itches, they grow so long, then drop out again.
My Mum saw a dermatologist too and they gave her good advice re shampoo's etc. Good luck x

[Peacegirl]

Yes dermatologist is good as they can rule things out too. Like you said, no prizes for diagnosing alopecia lol- it's the cause you need to know.
I've also been referred but my hair loss has stopped almost overnight since I changed my hrt. Fingers x'd.

I totally agree re insensitivity around how upsetting hair loss is 

[Wannabewell]

I wish GP's would realise that hair loss to a woman is an awful experience.
My Mum has very fine baby hair, it never really grows and it breaks very easily. It really upsets her and it's always been the same. She does have a thyroid disorder which maybe the reason.
I too have a tiny little finger tip tuft patch. I can feel when the hairs start to grow as it itches, they grow so long, then drop out again.
My Mum saw a dermatologist too and they gave her good advice re shampoo's etc. Good luck x

Yeah, I wish the GPs would realise how awful an experience hair loss is for a woman. Ah, I'm having itching and I have lots of baby hairs sticking out. I'm hoping to have a good appointment with dermatologist, fingers crossed.

Thanks for your support x

[Wannabewell]

Yes dermatologist is good as they can rule things out too. Like you said, no prizes for diagnosing alopecia lol- it's the cause you need to know.
I've also been referred but my hair loss has stopped almost overnight since I changed my hrt. Fingers x'd.

I totally agree re insensitivity around how upsetting hair loss is 

Yes, I need to know the cause, you are right. And, as you say, a dermatologist can rule things out too.

I'm really happy to hear that you're hair loss has stopped, fingers firmly crossed. 

[Wannabewell]

The dermatologist said that a few things are going on.  I have some alopecia areata, she has given me dermovate cream for that and said it's autoimmune and will come and go.

She thinks it's likely thyroid and my low ferritin levels that are causing the thinning, along with hormonal and age related changes.  She said my GP needs to re check thyroid and he needs to ensure my ferritin levels are at least half way in range and that it's maintained, he also needs to investigate why I don't store iron, there's plenty in the blood just not in the stores.

Also my irregular and prolonged blood loss (menstrual) needs to be assessed as that will affect my hair, especially with ferritin already so low.

I'm thinking of letting my hair colour grow out and embracing the grey, I can't have it coloured while using the steroid cream anyway.  Don't want to keep having chemicals on it when it's thinning like this.

[Peacegirl]

The dermatologist said that a few things are going on.  I have some alopecia areata, she has given me dermovate cream for that and said it's autoimmune and will come and go.

She thinks it's likely thyroid and my low ferritin levels that are causing the thinning, along with hormonal and age related changes.  She said my GP needs to re check thyroid and he needs to ensure my ferritin levels are at least half way in range and that it's maintained, he also needs to investigate why I don't store iron, there's plenty in the blood just not in the stores.

Also my irregular and prolonged blood loss (menstrual) needs to be assessed as that will affect my hair, especially with ferritin already so low.

I'm thinking of letting my hair colour grow out and embracing the grey, I can't have it coloured while using the steroid cream anyway.  Don't want to keep having chemicals on it when it's thinning like this.

Sounds like the dermatologist was very thorough! Also sounds like not the worst case scenario hair-wise. I.e it will grow back and hopefully you can get the other issues sorted which will aid its recovery. Actually, did the dermatologist look at loose hairs to see if they have a 'bulb' attached? If they do it means the hair is likely to grow back. I really hope you get things back on track soon! My friend has just gone natural grey and I wasnt sure st first but now I love it -she just looks more natural and prettier 

[Wannabewell]

The dermatologist said that a few things are going on.  I have some alopecia areata, she has given me dermovate cream for that and said it's autoimmune and will come and go.

She thinks it's likely thyroid and my low ferritin levels that are causing the thinning, along with hormonal and age related changes.  She said my GP needs to re check thyroid and he needs to ensure my ferritin levels are at least half way in range and that it's maintained, he also needs to investigate why I don't store iron, there's plenty in the blood just not in the stores.

Also my irregular and prolonged blood loss (menstrual) needs to be assessed as that will affect my hair, especially with ferritin already so low.

I'm thinking of letting my hair colour grow out and embracing the grey, I can't have it coloured while using the steroid cream anyway.  Don't want to keep having chemicals on it when it's thinning like this.

Sounds like the dermatologist was very thorough! Also sounds like not the worst case scenario hair-wise. I.e it will grow back and hopefully you can get the other issues sorted which will aid its recovery. Actually, did the dermatologist look at loose hairs to see if they have a 'bulb' attached? If they do it means the hair is likely to grow back. I really hope you get things back on track soon! My friend has just gone natural grey and I wasnt sure st first but now I love it -she just looks more natural and prettier 

Yeah, I'm thinking it's not worse case scenario, a relief.  She didn't look at hair strand but I do and they always seem to have a bulb on, phew that's reassuring, thanks.  Me too, I'm trying not to obsess about it now and allow it to do it's own thing.  Good to hear that you're friends hair is looking good. 

[Aggie]

Hi Wanna,

Yes sounds like you've had a very thorough investigation 👍  Been meaning to reply to your thread as I have experience with hair loss, and just wanted to say it's a very horrible thing to have to go through, and you have my sympathies.  It seems as though they've given you a proper diagnosis with probable causes, which is most of the battle with hair loss - actually determining the cause.  If they've told you low ferritin, one specialist told me you have to have ferrtin levels of over 70 to grow new hair.  Taking any iron supplements with orange juice can help with absorption, and no caffeine an hour either side as that will inhibit absorption.  Hope that helps a little.  Best wishes xx

[Katia]

My hair has thinned a lot too.  The GP is sympathetic, but doesn't do anything.  I didn't find the dermatologist great either, but maybe I need to ask him about iron in the blood vs iron in the stores.  I've seen someone else with that problem around menopause too.